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Al-Sadr 'flees Baghdad crackdown'

Iraq to shut borders with Iran and Syria as part of attempt to end the violence.

14 Feb 2007 08:52 GMT

The Pentagon has described al-Sadr's Mahdi Army as the biggest threat to Iraqi security [AFP]

The Iraqi commander of the operation announced on Tuesday that the country's borders with Syria and Iran will be closed as part of an attempt to end the violence.

Lieutenant-General Abboud Gambar did not say when the borders would be shut, but another official said it was expected within two days and would only partially reopen after the closure.

Curfew extended

Gambar, addressing the nation on behalf of Nuri al-Maliki, the prime minister, also said Baghdad's night-time curfew would be expanded by an hour and permits allowing civilians to carry weapons in public would be suspended during the crackdown, which he suggested could last several weeks.